2022 - Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia

Overview of Nursing Schools in West Virginia

About Nursing Schools in West Virginia

There are fewer than 20,000 registered nurses in the state of West Virginia. According to a recent study, less than half of those registered nurses have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is a need, now more than ever, for bachelor’s-prepared nurses who are trained to lead and manage other nurses. Nursing schools across the state of West Virginia that offer online classes as well as traditional campus settings in addition to distance learning options. Nurses are encouraged to seek information from multiple schools to make the best decision possible.

In our West Virginia RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key West Virginia RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of West Virginia, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

West Virginia RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Nursing Programs Offered by West Virginia Nursing Schools

• Registered Nursing: 22
• Family Nurse Practitioner: 6
• Nurse Educator: 2
• Nursing Administration: 2
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 2
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: 1
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
• Practical Nursing: 1

West Virginia Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types

• West Virginia University: 4
• Marshall University: 4
• Marshall University Huntington Campus: 3
• West Virginia Wesleyan College: 3
• Salem University: 3
• Wheeling University BA-BS To BSN Program: 2
• Shepherd University: 2
• Marshall University Pt. Pleasant Campus: 1
• Marshall University Pt. Pleasant Campus: 1
• Bluefield State College Bluefield Campus LPN-ADN: 1

Best Ranked RN Programs in West Virginia

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both West Virginia and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 10 ADN degree programs and 8 BSN degree programs in West Virginia. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in West Virginia to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Davis & Elkins College

Department of Nursing

100.00% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  100 Campus Dr, Elkins, WV - 26241-3996
• 
  (304) 637-1900

Nurse Admin: Melissa McCoy, PhD, MSN, RN

Title: Director

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 100.00%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor

Davis & Elkins College located in Elkins, West Virginia has one of the best nursing programs in the entire state. They offer an ADN program and unique to a community college, they also offer an online RN to BSN program. The online program can be completed in 12 months and

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 45
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,380
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $23,779
• Percent Admitted: 69%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 23%
• Graduation Rate: 48%

Salem University

100.00% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  223 W Main St, Salem, WV - 26426
• 
  (304) 326-1109

Nurse Admin: ,

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 100.00%
• Programs: Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, MSN

Salem University is one of the best in the state with an NCLEX-RN pass rate of almost a perfect 100%. The work-focused nursing degrees provide a foundation for further growth and learning. The study also enjoys the benefits of small class sizes and one-on-one mentorship and instruction from the faculty.

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 26
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $13,150
• Book and Supplies: $1,000
• Percent Received Aid: 76%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,590
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 32%

West Liberty University

Nursing Program

98.15% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  208 University Drive, West Liberty, WV - 26074
• 
  (304) 336-5000

Nurse Admin: Rose M. Kutlenios, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, ANP-BC

Title: Director

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 98.15%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

West Liberty University aims to be a state and regional leader in providing excellence in professional nursing education and with an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 93.70%, it is well on its way to achieving that goal. The oldest higher education institution in the mountain state, West Liberty University prides itself

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 148
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,345
• Book and Supplies: $1,645
• Percent Received Aid: 94%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,931
• Percent Admitted: 68%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 33%
• Graduation Rate: 53%

West Virginia University

School of Nursing

97.56% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  PO Box 6201, Morgantown, WV - 26506
• 
  (304) 293-0111

Nurse Admin: Tara F. Hulsey, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN

Title: Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.56%
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate

West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, West Virginia.  The cost of WVU is below the national average at $7,992 per year for in-state tuition. They offer a BSN degree which requires students to log 1,100 of clinical hours, 950 of which must take place in an Academic Medical Center

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 2421
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,976
• Book and Supplies: $950
• Percent Received Aid: 95%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $9,852
• Percent Admitted: 84%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 31%
• Graduation Rate: 62%

Wheeling University BA-BS To BSN Program

Department of Nursing

96.97% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  316 Washington Ave, Wheeling, WV - 26003
• 
  (304) 243-2000

Nurse Admin: Gail Nickerson, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Title: Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.97%
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to MSN

University Information

• Total Faculty: 28
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,300
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $23,662
• Percent Admitted: 77%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 23%
• Graduation Rate: 42%

West Virginia Junior College

96.70% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  148 Willey St, Morgantown, WV - 26505
• 
  (304) 296-8282

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.70%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

West Virginia Junior College teaches its students with a challenging curriculum focusing on compassion, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills as its foundation. By the time the students graduate, they possess the skills to be great leaders as well as competent care providers.  The faculty comprises of dedicated, learned, and working

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 13
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $400
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 97%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,300
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 59%

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

95.82% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  512 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV - 25801
• 
  (304) 442-1000

Nurse Admin: ,

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.82%
• Programs:
• Award Levels:

University Information

• Total Faculty: 88
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $7,728
• Book and Supplies: $950
• Percent Received Aid: 96%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,803
• Percent Admitted: 55%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 47%
• Graduation Rate: 28%

Marshall University

95.06% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1 John Marshall Dr, Huntington, , WV - 25755
• 
  304-696-3170

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.06%
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: MSN

The Marshall University School of Nursing is one of the best nursing colleges in both the state and the nation with an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 91.84% and an FNP certification pass rate of 96.77%. The School of Nursing also provides students with the option to choose from multiple specialties

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University Information

• Total Faculty:
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: N/A
• Average Grant or Scholarship: N/A
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: N/A

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

94.50% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  13650 Apple Harvest Drive, Martinsburg, WV - 25403
• 
  (304) 260-4380

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.50%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is located in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College originated over 40 years ago and was originally called Shepherd Community College and was renamed Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in 2006. At Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, the nursing

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 89
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,128
• Book and Supplies: $1,460
• Percent Received Aid: 89%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,892
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 35%

WVU at Parkersburg LPN-ADN Program

Health Sciences Division

93.90% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV - 26104
• 
  (304) 424-8000

Nurse Admin: Kathy Frum, MSN, RN

Title: Chairperson, Nursing & Health Sciences Division/director Of The Associate Degree Nursing Program

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.90%
• Programs: Practical Nursing
• Award Levels:

University Information

• Total Faculty: 73
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,890
• Book and Supplies: $1,500
• Percent Received Aid: 84%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,929
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: N/A

Marshall University Huntington Campus

College of Health Professions

93.70% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1 John Marshall Dr, Huntington, WV - 25755
• 
  (304) 696-3170

Nurse Admin: Denise Landry, EdD, APRN-BC

Title: Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.70%
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate

Marshall University is located in Huntington, West Virginia.  They offer an ASN degree through a partnership with St. Mary's School of Nursing and Marshall University.  They also offer a BSN degree, which is the largest BSN program within a university setting in the region.  They also offer an online RN

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 830
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,552
• Book and Supplies: $1,100
• Percent Received Aid: 96%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,947
• Percent Admitted: 89%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 29%
• Graduation Rate: 50%

Fairmont University LPN-ADN Program

School of Nursing

92.50% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1201 Locust Ave, Fairmont, WV - 26554-2470
• 
  (304) 367-4000

Nurse Admin: Laura H. Clayton, PhD, RN, CNE

Title: Associate Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.50%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor

University Information

• Total Faculty: 166
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $7,892
• Book and Supplies: $1,000
• Percent Received Aid: 96%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,478
• Percent Admitted: 94%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 35%
• Graduation Rate: 35%

West Virginia Northern Community College

91.80% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1704 Market St., Wheeling, WV - 26003-3699
• 
  (304) 233-5900

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.80%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

West Virginia Northern Community College is among the best nursing colleges in the state with a rich history of 40+ years of higher education. The college aims to produce nurses who are competent, knowledgeable, and can advocate for their patients. To allow the students to develop into skilled professionals who

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 54
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,300
• Book and Supplies: $1,135
• Percent Received Aid: 95%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,495
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 24%

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in West Virginia

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in West Virginia

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in West Virginia offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

West Virginia  RN Licensing Requirements

West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses
101 Dee Drive, Suite 102
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 558-3596

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $51.50
License renewal (annual), RN: $65

Continuing Education Requirements:
12 contact hours per renewal period

RN Licensure by Exams

Candidates must complete a criminal background check before obtaining licensure. Candidates should schedule an appointment with L-1 Identity Solutions in order to meet this requirement. Scheduling can be completed online. The application fee is $51.50 and there is an additional $200 fee that is made payable to Pearson VUE, the company that hosts the NCLEX exam. There are two certifications that must be included with the application: someone who can attest to the good moral character of the candidate and one from the director or dean of the nursing program. A candidate may be issued a 90-day temporary permit after graduation but it will become invalidated if the is unsuccessful in passing the NCLEX exam on the first attempt. In this case, the candidate will need to reapply and pay additional fees. After two failed attempts, there will be additional requirements that will need to be met before obtaining authorization again.

RN License by Endorsement

Nurses who obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states will be able to obtain licensure by endorsement in the state of West Virginia after submitting fingerprints at a local law enforcement agency.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

In some cases nurses who completed a program outside of the United States will also be able to obtain licensure in West Virginia. Candidates will be required to submit certification by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools prior to applying to take the NCLEX exam through the Board. There is a $60 fee for the endorsement.

RN Salaries in West Virginia

The demand for nurses could grow by 23% by the year 2020 which may create up to 4,000 new jobs. Nurses who have obtained a bachelor’s degree will find that they are well prepared to handle the constantly evolving industry. Nurses in West Virginia earn a median income level of $53,100. The specific wages are dependent on the education and experience level of the individual nurse. Baccalaureate-prepared nurses receive training in leadership and management, which prepares them for administrative positions within hospitals and nursing homes.

West Virginia Registered Nursing Salaries

The Charleston metropolitan area has the highest number of employed registered nurses along with the highest hourly wage and annual median wage.

Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.